Aim Shorts

Dragon Lore

Beware the Dragon of mountain snow!

With jaws that snatch

and claws that catch.

Breath of flame,

Your life to claim.

Beware the Dragon of woe!

Everyone knew the Dragon Lore and feared the high mountains, those where the trees gnarl and the snows last until mid-summer. Not I! To end the dragon's reign of terror be my quest. Then glory be mine. The eyes of the Chieftain's fair daughter did not see me, a simple farmer's son. But with the dragon's head, surely her favor would I win.

This be not an impetuous urge, much have I thought. I crafted a shield of chrysotile to hold back the hottest of flames, a spearhead of the hardest steel to pierce the toughest of hides, and thick leather armor to resist the sharpest of fang or claw. With soft sheepskin boots, I would silently stalk.

Three long days did it take till I stood on the high windy ridge. There ahead, the charred remains of tundra and twisted pine marked the entrance to the dragon's lair. Dark was the ominous cave, gaping open among the tumbled gray boulders, like a portal to the abyss.

Just before dawn, I arose. The low rising sun now illuminated the eastern facing cave and I would enter to slay the beast while it still slumbered. I crept along the path, caressing the jagged rock walls with silence, my shield and spear before me. I froze to a muffled sound.

Hic, foom... Orange light flashed. Had the dragon woken so early? Again: Hic, foom...

My skin prickled and my gut twisted, but onward I went.

In a flash of white, something pounced at me. Backward I fell, the shield and spear clattering to the hard floor. The thud that echoed in my head brought darkness over me.

Slurp.

The thick wetness on my face pulled me from the daze.

Slurp.

Was the monster tasting me? I dared to open my eyes. Two red eyes gazed back as a sulfurous breath stung my throat. The creature bounced with its forked tongue flopping out, then licked my face again.

What be this? The dragon bounded about in playful glee, more like a puppy than a fierce monster. Soft white fur flowed along its long body and tail as it dashed from wall to ceiling to floor again, aided by wide webbed wings. Sharp claws poked my skin as it playfully pounced, but like a kitten might do.

Hic, foom... Quickly I learned to jump out of the way of the fireball that erupted from each bout of hiccups.

I grinned as I rubbed its soft belly, causing it to shake a hind claw. "You be not so fierce, Snow Dragon. Why then the terrible lore?" In thought I stilled. "Perhaps it be better this way, who knows what harm would come to you from men, my new soft furry friend. Let them fear you. Much too haughty be the Chieftain's daughter anyway."